For all you youngsters out there. (1 Viewer)

[Standing Hampton]

Gentlemen,

I am a high school baseball coach in Georgia, and while our state is not one of the true powers, we have had our share of good pros.

The one thing that I have found over the years is the decreasing lack of baseball knowledge by the upcoming generations. I don't mean stats, but HOW to play the game. You would be surprised, and disappointed, at the lack of understanding on basic terms. Hit and run, for example, I had to explain to a group of 9th graders yesterday exactly what that meant and what we were trying to accomplish when we attempt it. I know, kids today have more distractions, blah, blah, blah, but it's sad to see that our national pasttime is dying right before our eyes. Shoot, for homework on the weekends I tell them to go home and WATCH a game. You'd be surprised, and disappointed again, at how many don't watch games. I don't know maybe you wouldn't.

I could write enough for a book.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Why do you think this is? and

SAD!

 

[Standing Hampton]

Why do you think this is? andSAD!

Distractions....marketing......apathy.....pick one.

 

[Angry Beavers]

or is it parents who expect coaches like yourself to teach em' everything and don't spend anytime playing with their kids?

I am not a HS baseball coach - but I do coach my son's and stepson's little league teams etc.

It is pretty obvious that there are a few kids who really want to be there, will try hard, hustle for you, listen to instruction etc. and then a whole bunch of kids who seem to have parents that expect me make little johnny a 7 yr old superstar when he has never grabbed a bat in his life. The worst part; if I can't make him a superstar I damn well A)better play him at shortstop just as much as the kid who actually has talent for the position and B) be a terrific babysitting service..... Hence in addition to league play, both kids play on a 8U traveling tournament team which is comprised of the 12 kids out of a league of 60+ that really want to play as opposed to having mom and dad just sign him up!

 

[Kendall]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

 

[Michael Brown]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

Yet attendance is still at an all-time high.

 

[Statorama]

Try explaining the theory of hitting the ball to the right side to advance the man on second.

 

[pollardsvision]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

Yet attendance is still at an all-time high.

to me, baseball attendance seems misleading. i don't live near a pro. stadium, but in the games i've attended, it seems like baseball games can feel like a social event at times. i always get the feeling many are there for "a day at the ballpark" as opposed to focusing on the game being played. it's a place to take the kids, grab a few beers, enjoy a day in the sun, etc. it seems like many parks are loading up on things to do other than watch a baseball game. maybe i'm totally off base here, but it seems like the interest is less about the game and more about the experience than it is in the NFL and the NBA. i don't know how the MLB tv ratings trends are going, but i would guess that the TV ratings don't show the same outlook that attendance figures do. we are also talking about a league that's intent on keeping it's fans from actually being able to watch their team play.

 

[Kendall]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

Yet attendance is still at an all-time high.

to me, baseball attendance seems misleading. i don't live near a pro. stadium, but in the games i've attended, it seems like baseball games can feel like a social event at times. i always get the feeling many are there for "a day at the ballpark" as opposed to focusing on the game being played. it's a place to take the kids, grab a few beers, enjoy a day in the sun, etc. it seems like many parks are loading up on things to do other than watch a baseball game. maybe i'm totally off base here, but it seems like the interest is less about the game and more about the experience than it is in the NFL and the NBA. i don't know how the MLB tv ratings trends are going, but i would guess that the TV ratings don't show the same outlook that attendance figures do. we are also talking about a league that's intent on keeping it's fans from actually being able to watch their team play.

Agreed. Hockey attendance was at an all-time high this year, would you say the last few years have been good for the sport as a whole though?

 

[Standing Hampton]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

Yet attendance is still at an all-time high.

to me, baseball attendance seems misleading. i don't live near a pro. stadium, but in the games i've attended, it seems like baseball games can feel like a social event at times. i always get the feeling many are there for "a day at the ballpark" as opposed to focusing on the game being played. it's a place to take the kids, grab a few beers, enjoy a day in the sun, etc. it seems like many parks are loading up on things to do other than watch a baseball game. maybe i'm totally off base here, but it seems like the interest is less about the game and more about the experience than it is in the NFL and the NBA. i don't know how the MLB tv ratings trends are going, but i would guess that the TV ratings don't show the same outlook that attendance figures do. we are also talking about a league that's intent on keeping it's fans from actually being able to watch their team play.

Good post.I'd much rather go see a minor league game than pro.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

As a 22-year-old with a fleeting interest in baseball here is my take:

I used to love baseball. I played up through little league, but then found I was better suited for basketball and swimming, so I quit playing, but didn't really quit watching.

But then baseball started killing itself. Strikes, followed by the threat of more strikes. The increased length of games (even ten years ago I don't think most batters took as much time to step to the plate or as many pitchers took so much time between pitches).

I pretty much gave up on most of the league and only passively paid attention to my favorite team, the Reds.

Then along came McGuire and Slammin Sammy, followed closely by Bonds surpassing all previous power abilities at a ripe old age of 35. And I could tell something was wrong. But again, baseball was ruining itself, ignoring the obvious and instead seemed to hold fast to the idea that baseball was still "America's game."

I've started trying to pay attention more these last two years, but really focused on the NL central mostly. But I still have a hard time with it. Bud Selig needs to go.

Baseball is broken and has been for a long time. It needs to reinvent itself and realize that as of the last ten years it has definately not been America's favorite sport.

The tradition in baseball is part of what makes it great. But just because there is tradition doesn't mean you can't change the way you sell the game.

I didn't really think most of this out before I wrote it, so I'm sure it comes off as random, but for my age group, baseball lost us a while ago.

Yet attendance is still at an all-time high.

to me, baseball attendance seems misleading. i don't live near a pro. stadium, but in the games i've attended, it seems like baseball games can feel like a social event at times. i always get the feeling many are there for "a day at the ballpark" as opposed to focusing on the game being played. it's a place to take the kids, grab a few beers, enjoy a day in the sun, etc. it seems like many parks are loading up on things to do other than watch a baseball game. maybe i'm totally off base here, but it seems like the interest is less about the game and more about the experience than it is in the NFL and the NBA. i don't know how the MLB tv ratings trends are going, but i would guess that the TV ratings don't show the same outlook that attendance figures do. we are also talking about a league that's intent on keeping it's fans from actually being able to watch their team play.

I know several women who wouldn't watch a game at home but insist on making a trip or two to the ballpark every summer. They don't care who it is against or why that game was chosen, just going for a fun day.